We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tiffany Sotomayor. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tiffany below.

Tiffany, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

If I could go back, I wouldn’t start sooner or later, I’d just have with thicker skin. I was in my 20s, living abroad, booking shows in broken languages throughout Europe and feeding my band with bar gig money. I was always hungry, just not always as resilient to the no’s as I wanted to be. I’ve learned since: persistence is part of the art and don’t stop creating.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m “that girl with dark eyes”—a musician, art director, and creative shapeshifter. My work is equal parts synths, sweat, and sharp design. I got my start as a drummer in the indie rock scene, touring, writing, recording, and producing. Those early years taught me to hustle, and how to build something from nothing.

As an art director, I work with mission-driven brands, artists, and organizations who want to say something real and say it beautifully. Whether it’s designing a campaign that protects peoples rights or building a visual identity I always try to bring truth, soul and connection.

What sets me apart? I don’t just make things look good, I try to make sure they mean something. I have a strong background in activism and music, and a deep respect for everyone’s time, talent, and voice. I show up. I collaborate. I care.

I’m most proud of the work I’ve done supporting communities of color, queer folks, and independent artists—people who are often underpaid and overlooked, but who absolutely deserve a seat at the table

You ask what I’d like people discovering my work to know? I’d say that I’m here to make things that feel honest. If I create something that people might want to step into then I’m grateful.

Whatever I do won’t be for everyone. I’m just creating from where I’m at, hoping it reaches the people it’s meant to. I think the right people always find you when you’re doing your thing with heart.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Oh yes—I’m all into that. I’ve learned so much from the people around me. I really value advice from my peers, it’s created some of the strongest bonds in my life, especially with other producers and musicians I admire. I hold onto their words like lifelines sometimes. There’s something about hearing from people who’ve been there that hits differently.

Lately, I’ve been reading Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: A Way of Being, and it’s really shifted my thought process. It’s less about technical advice and more about how to be an artist which honestly is the harder part.

I’m also a huge fan of MasterClass., the lectures keep me curious. That’s something I’m trying to carry into my creative world.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

You know, I chose to answer this question for the people who don’t care about social media right now. Because honestly? I feel that.

It’s never felt natural to me to “build an audience” through posts or algorithms. Sometimes it all feels a little performative, like I’m shaping myself for a screen instead of just making the work I care about. I’m not trying to go viral. I’m trying to connect. Through music, visuals, energy…something real.

I know that when I’m gone, my art and music will still be floating around out there in the ether. That’s what matters to me not whether a post did numbers. I kind of want to make things that linger in people’s minds, not their feeds.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thatgirlwithdarkeyes
• Youtube: https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fx41j_HN5I-s%2Fhq720.jpg%3Fsqp%3D-oaymwEhCK4FEIIDSFryq4qpAxMIARUAAAAAGAElAADIQj0AgKJD%26rs%3DAOn4CLAG-DYCQshHkz7YJIt0d21rPQtzDQ&tbnid=RxOiaVznt3QP6M&vet=1&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dx41j_HN5I-s&docid=qA0Xdtsgs87WlM&w=686&h=386&hl=en-us&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim%2Fm1%2F3&kgs=9086ebc34e071735
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thatgirlwithdarkeyes?ref=clipboard&p=i&c=1&si=9B58BE64C2324005B6350792AA1DD98D&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6vxhZNb3rVMa7ii9OUYwDd?si=rLE7LYyIT2GCXdgnCENGJw

Image Credits

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